See inside Royal Perth Hospital on a busy Friday night

The West Australian

VideoRoyal Perth's emergency department is ground zero for WA's flu epidemic. 7NEWS' Suzannah Carr was taken inside to see exactly what goes on inside the hospital on a Friday night.Video: Danella Bevis

Patients wanting urgent care without having to wait hours at the Emergency Department will be able to book emergency appointments with GPs as of next month.

The McGowan Government today launched an 18-month Urgent Care Clinic Network pilot program, with 133 practices enrolled to start on September 10.

The model is expected to take the pressure off hospital EDs by providing care for patients with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions.

Health Minister Roger Cook said the Sustainable Health Review had identified about 190,000 patients a year presenting to EDs could be treated in a primary care environment.

These included people presenting with skin and soft tissue infections and symptoms like cuts, burns and lacerations, minor fractures or minor neck and back pain, or wound infections and abdominal pain.

Mr Cook said the partnership between the McGowan Government and the WA Primary Health Alliance would allow patients with these symptoms to access care closer to home from GPs, alleviating stress on EDs.

He said an urgent care clinic was being developed inside Royal Perth Hospital, designed for patients who needed alcohol and other drug treatment, and another was being developed at Sir Charles Gardner Hospital.

“But understand that this is about making sure that patients can utilise the current network that we have of advanced primary health care out there in the community,” he said.

Participating GP Dr Mike Civil said the urgent care clinic network would work from 8am through to 11pm.

“Individual practices taking part might be available from 8am to 6pm, they might have availability in the morning where they’re prepared to put appointments aside,” he said.

“Studies have shown that it’s often office hours where there that demand on EDs for GP-like services.

“It’s about diverting patients who might otherwise go to an ED so they can have appropriate care in an appropriate setting.”